Chapter 24
Many people were already there when she arrived. Tally took her seat next to Legolas and Ghilad came and sat on her other side. Everyone was dressed prepared for war, the other elves and men didn't seem to notice a woman in their midst. Elrond stood and spoke,
"It is grave that this has happened. It appears they must have known we would be feasting today and have tried to catch us unawares. From what the scouts have seen, there is a large force approaching rapidly from the west, they outnumber us approximately 5 to 1 and the host consists of orcs, Uruk- Hai, goblins and some dark men. We will attack in three prongs. One from across the water, one from the side and the fastest riders will cut off their escape route by attacking from behind. Legolas, you will lead the archers on the walls, Ghilad, you will lead the riders, Metalis the stream front and Turant, the other side. You must go across and then lie in wait in the scrub and only attack once Metalis has led the first charge. I will be with Metalis, and Gandalf with the riders."
"Elrond, where do I go?"
"Natalia, you go with the riders on Mahril." There was uproar in the room. Sending this woman to fight was crazy. She'd just get herself killed. Ghilad stood up,
"I have had the honour of teaching Lady Natalia to ride for the past six months, she may not have battle experience but she can ride better than most of the people in this room and handle her sword better too. She is a match for these animals, I assure you." The noise died. There was silence.
"Thank you Ghilad. Elrond, who will be here protecting the women and children though?"
"Natalia, the women here will protect themselves, trust me, and there are secret passages aplenty in this building to hide in if necessary." Tally nodded, "We must go now. Good luck all of you."
Everyone stood up, Tally looked at Legolas, and he looked at her, "I love you Tally, I will be here when you ride back. You are ready for this, do not be afraid. Channel your anger." She nodded and kissed his cheek,
"I love you too. Be careful."
"I will protect her Legolas, do not fear." Ghilad spoke from behind Tally, "We must go now."
And they went to war.
Tally found Mahril waiting for her in the stables. Tally spoke quietly to the horse explaining the situation, she knew he would understand. Tally asked for permission to ride and Mahril consented, allowing Tally to mount. This had become a tradition for her since she realised the horse had begun to read her thoughts and was not just a mule to be ridden. Tally joined Ghilad at the front of the riders. They galloped off just as Metalis led the infantry groups forward with Elrond. They rode fast taking a wide route so as not to be seen by the enemy forces. They were in place behind the back lines of orcs.
In the distance they heard the sounds of Metalis' first charge. The orcs tried to retreat, they were not expecting such strong organised resistance. They had been told by their source that the Sanctuary would be partying and there would be little struggle, this was to be an easy, but convincing, victory. The riders moved around the back of the orcs and began to attack from the back, the elves attacked from their other side as well. As the orcs turned around to fight, Tally saw the face of her attacker on everyone of them. She swung her sword at the first one, knocking its head off before it had a chance to fight her. Tally drew Mahril around and stabbed another in the back which was about to kill a dismounted elf. All she began to think about was getting back at the things which had dirtied her and taken away her innocence. The battle raged for hours. Tally and her counterparts had killed many, driving the rear guard away and starting to attack the main army along with the attack from the side. They met more resistance here, stronger fighters, well trained. Many a time did Mahril pull her clear from an unseen attacker as Tally went for the kill on someone else. Anyone who saw her thought she was just another elf male, little did they know she was the Queen of Gondor. Tally mused that they may have concentrated their attack a bit more if they knew who was really fighting.
The sun was rising steadily in the sky, but it was blocked out by thick black cloud, when Tally noticed in the half dark a steady stream of reinforcements arriving from the south east. Tally rode to Ghilad, who at that moment was surrounded by three goblins. Together, they quickly dispatched them and Tally had a moment to talk to the Elf,
"Ghilad, to the south east, reinforcements. The women and children." She said breathlessly,
"You are right. We must send some riders round there. Natalia, are you willing to lead them?"
"Yes I am. I will take twenty or so good riders, they are only arriving in dribs and drabs but be watching in case more decide to arrive at once." Ghilad just nodded and shouted instructions. Riders peeled off and followed Tally, galloping across the grass. When they arrived at where the creatures seemed to be appearing, they saw they were outnumbered, and Tally sent a rider back to ask for more help, meanwhile lashing out all her anger at the creatures about her. She reached a new level, killing everything that came near her. The orcs seemed to draw back from her, preferring to fight other members of the group. By unprecedented luck, they appeared to be gaining ground on the orcs and goblins which assailed them. Now the enemy army was being attacked in four places. They were trapped by a stronger force than them and panic began to spread within the orcs. They went wild and frantic, killing each other by accident in their haste to try and find a way out. Tally pulled Mahril back, it was far too dangerous to get in too close. She sheathed her sword and pulled out her quiver. Remembering to keep her focus as Legolas had taught her she fired arrow after arrow at the panicked orcs, killing many of them. Tally's arrows bounced off the armour of a group of Uruk-Hai who turned around to see where they came from. They began to advance on Tally. She pulled out her sword, killing the first few that reached her, but they came too close and too quickly for her to take them all. She cried out, but no one appeared to come to her aid. Tally was dragged from her horse and thrown on the ground. Her helmet came off and they realised this was a woman and no elf and they began to laugh.
"Are they so desperate they send their women to war too?" said one harsh voice,
"No this is no mere woman, this is the so-called Queen we have been told so much about, the one in love with an elf. Just think of the rewards we will be given if we can take her back alive." Tally had been cowering on the ground to this point, but she was not going to let herself be taken anywhere by these foul things like her dreams told her. They would not touch her again. Tally quickly unsheathed the dagger that was hidden in her boot and stabbed two Uruk-Hai in the feet. They cried out in pain and moved apart. Tally took advantage and pushed past them, leaping onto the nearby Mahril and galloping back to where more people were stationed. The Uruk-Hai followed her, but they were no match for six elf warriors, veterans of many battles of this type. Tally's sword had been lost for the moment so she had to be content with stringing many arrows and letting them fly, watching as the victims twisting in pain falling to the ground. Tally delighted in their pain, a morbid joy.
She gradually moved her position until she could get back to her sword which she had spotted lying on the ground some distance away. Tally jumped off Mahril to reclaim it and return to the main fight. She noticed that there was not many people left to fight, the elven fronts were all now quite close. There were still arrows flying off the walls into the midst of things and Tally thought of Legolas hoping and praying he was still alive. Mahril neighed as Tally cantered in to attack a group of goblins. She took their heads off and stabbed the last one as well just to make sure. No one was going to take her home and the people she loved away from her again. The remaining orcs and a few Uruk-Hai fled as best they could, many got cut down on the way. In the distance Tally noticed a black could, it looked like a buzzing hive approach them. She motioned to Gandalf who was nearby to look. He turned and rode out to meet it. Tally followed him.
"Natalia, turn back. This is magic you cannot deal with. The Enemy is upon us. He comes. Ride to Elrond and tell him. Be quick. Fly Mahril fly!" The horse took off, even if its rider was unwilling to go. Tally rode around through many trees, not caring how many scratches she got. She found Elrond fighting hand to hand near to the Sanctuary walls, the elves here were having more trouble than the riders at the back. Tally rode around, sword swinging, listening to the sound of metal on metal as the forces battled. Elrond noticed Tally and he jumped onto Mahril in front of her. Tally galloped off back to where she had last seen Gandalf who was sitting tall on his horse a grave look on his face. Elrond had called to his horse, who appeared on their left and Elrond changed to ride Lettas. Tally stayed with him, she wanted to know what was happening, who had been haunting her.
She rode up to Gandalf's left, Elrond on his right and together they looked at the oncoming force. There was no vanguard, and no body guard, just what seemed to be a cloud of energy. Tally noticed Gandalf mutter a spell and a protective field appeared around the three of them also. The Enemy stopped in front of them, and the cloud seemed to shrink gradually, taking on a form, the form of a person,
"Alatar, you cannot win, you shall be destroyed." Gandalf cried. Alatar was one of the Istari, the wizard order Gandalf belonged to.
"You know why I have come Gandalf. I have come for her. She is the key. She will bring ultimate victory for the darkness."
"She may also bind the darkness, Alatar. She is stronger than you ever imagined, I'm sure you have realised that by now."
"You are right, I should have given her more credit. Her love is strong and she is loyal and accomplished. You have done well with her. I congratulate you, but watch now as I defeat you and bring darkness to this world forever, and he sent out a force from his staff which Gandalf deflected sending it back. Elrond moved back and shouted to Tally to do so. This was a wizards' fight, they could do nothing, and would only hinder Gandalf or get themselves killed. Gandalf appeared to have the upper hand, but Alatar released a spell which send Gandalf flying back off his horse and through the air some distance. Tally gasped,
"Elrond, isn't there anything we can do? Can't we kill him with our weapons? Isn't that how Saruman died?"
"Natalia, you are right, but Alatar could stop any weapon of yours with one move of his arm providing he had the necessary time to see it. You cannot jus go up there with your sword."
"Well let's shoot him in the back, cowardly I know, but wouldn't it work?"
"If it doesn't it will draw attention to where we are hiding and you will not be protected. Tally, we have not told you everything written down in lore about you. If Alatar gets his hands on you then it will unleash vast amounts of evil on this world, we have to protect you. You must go back to the house or at least somewhere further away where there are people around you to watch over you."
"Elrond I do not need watching. I can fight my own battles, as I have demonstrated today. Let me try. I will only need one go. I will not fail." Elrond only sighed and nodded. Tally moved Mahril slightly, positioning him with a clear run to the Wizards. There was no wind, ideal conditions. Tally knew she was close enough. She could do this. She heard Legolas' voice in his head telling her what to do. Tally saw the wizard was wearing no armour, she wouldn't even have to hit the weak chink in any mail. She reached to her back for her bow and an arrow and strung the bow. Making sure she knew exactly where to aim. Tally let the arrow fly, she quickly strung another and let it go in case the first one failed. The second might still have a chance. It seemed hours before the arrows hit their target. Gandalf had seen her behind Alatar and made sure he kept the other Wizard in position long enough for the arrows to hit. Tally saw the first hit the centre of his back, just behind his heart. Alatar stumbled slightly. The second hit the back of his neck and he writhed in pain, falling to the floor. Gandalf delivered the final spell and the body caught fire, there was a screaming and then nothing but calm. The forces they had been fighting had all but been defeated and the rest fled as the elves and men turned to see what had happened. The saw alone on the battle fields a good distance away Gandalf helping their Queen down from her horse, and Elrond riding up to them. Elrond got off his horse and both of them bowed down before Tally.
"It is over," said Gandalf standing up, "You have indeed fulfilled the prophecies about you and bound the darkness forever with one simple stroke."
"Come let us return to the Sanctuary. There is much to see to. There are injuries to be treated and dead to be mourned. We cannot be sure this is the end." Said Elrond, pessimistic to the last.
"Legolas," Tally muttered and left the two standing there as she rode to find her love. She reached the walls of the Sanctuary where he had been stationed. She saw Talin, "Talin, where is Legolas? Where is he?" Talin's face fell,
"My lady, he was injured by an arrow. He is still alive. I am not sure how serious it is. They took him to the Healers." Tally rode off like a shot. She left Mahril in the care of the stable hands, thanking the horse quickly for his help then dashing off to find Legolas.
Many people were already there when she arrived. Tally took her seat next to Legolas and Ghilad came and sat on her other side. Everyone was dressed prepared for war, the other elves and men didn't seem to notice a woman in their midst. Elrond stood and spoke,
"It is grave that this has happened. It appears they must have known we would be feasting today and have tried to catch us unawares. From what the scouts have seen, there is a large force approaching rapidly from the west, they outnumber us approximately 5 to 1 and the host consists of orcs, Uruk- Hai, goblins and some dark men. We will attack in three prongs. One from across the water, one from the side and the fastest riders will cut off their escape route by attacking from behind. Legolas, you will lead the archers on the walls, Ghilad, you will lead the riders, Metalis the stream front and Turant, the other side. You must go across and then lie in wait in the scrub and only attack once Metalis has led the first charge. I will be with Metalis, and Gandalf with the riders."
"Elrond, where do I go?"
"Natalia, you go with the riders on Mahril." There was uproar in the room. Sending this woman to fight was crazy. She'd just get herself killed. Ghilad stood up,
"I have had the honour of teaching Lady Natalia to ride for the past six months, she may not have battle experience but she can ride better than most of the people in this room and handle her sword better too. She is a match for these animals, I assure you." The noise died. There was silence.
"Thank you Ghilad. Elrond, who will be here protecting the women and children though?"
"Natalia, the women here will protect themselves, trust me, and there are secret passages aplenty in this building to hide in if necessary." Tally nodded, "We must go now. Good luck all of you."
Everyone stood up, Tally looked at Legolas, and he looked at her, "I love you Tally, I will be here when you ride back. You are ready for this, do not be afraid. Channel your anger." She nodded and kissed his cheek,
"I love you too. Be careful."
"I will protect her Legolas, do not fear." Ghilad spoke from behind Tally, "We must go now."
And they went to war.
Tally found Mahril waiting for her in the stables. Tally spoke quietly to the horse explaining the situation, she knew he would understand. Tally asked for permission to ride and Mahril consented, allowing Tally to mount. This had become a tradition for her since she realised the horse had begun to read her thoughts and was not just a mule to be ridden. Tally joined Ghilad at the front of the riders. They galloped off just as Metalis led the infantry groups forward with Elrond. They rode fast taking a wide route so as not to be seen by the enemy forces. They were in place behind the back lines of orcs.
In the distance they heard the sounds of Metalis' first charge. The orcs tried to retreat, they were not expecting such strong organised resistance. They had been told by their source that the Sanctuary would be partying and there would be little struggle, this was to be an easy, but convincing, victory. The riders moved around the back of the orcs and began to attack from the back, the elves attacked from their other side as well. As the orcs turned around to fight, Tally saw the face of her attacker on everyone of them. She swung her sword at the first one, knocking its head off before it had a chance to fight her. Tally drew Mahril around and stabbed another in the back which was about to kill a dismounted elf. All she began to think about was getting back at the things which had dirtied her and taken away her innocence. The battle raged for hours. Tally and her counterparts had killed many, driving the rear guard away and starting to attack the main army along with the attack from the side. They met more resistance here, stronger fighters, well trained. Many a time did Mahril pull her clear from an unseen attacker as Tally went for the kill on someone else. Anyone who saw her thought she was just another elf male, little did they know she was the Queen of Gondor. Tally mused that they may have concentrated their attack a bit more if they knew who was really fighting.
The sun was rising steadily in the sky, but it was blocked out by thick black cloud, when Tally noticed in the half dark a steady stream of reinforcements arriving from the south east. Tally rode to Ghilad, who at that moment was surrounded by three goblins. Together, they quickly dispatched them and Tally had a moment to talk to the Elf,
"Ghilad, to the south east, reinforcements. The women and children." She said breathlessly,
"You are right. We must send some riders round there. Natalia, are you willing to lead them?"
"Yes I am. I will take twenty or so good riders, they are only arriving in dribs and drabs but be watching in case more decide to arrive at once." Ghilad just nodded and shouted instructions. Riders peeled off and followed Tally, galloping across the grass. When they arrived at where the creatures seemed to be appearing, they saw they were outnumbered, and Tally sent a rider back to ask for more help, meanwhile lashing out all her anger at the creatures about her. She reached a new level, killing everything that came near her. The orcs seemed to draw back from her, preferring to fight other members of the group. By unprecedented luck, they appeared to be gaining ground on the orcs and goblins which assailed them. Now the enemy army was being attacked in four places. They were trapped by a stronger force than them and panic began to spread within the orcs. They went wild and frantic, killing each other by accident in their haste to try and find a way out. Tally pulled Mahril back, it was far too dangerous to get in too close. She sheathed her sword and pulled out her quiver. Remembering to keep her focus as Legolas had taught her she fired arrow after arrow at the panicked orcs, killing many of them. Tally's arrows bounced off the armour of a group of Uruk-Hai who turned around to see where they came from. They began to advance on Tally. She pulled out her sword, killing the first few that reached her, but they came too close and too quickly for her to take them all. She cried out, but no one appeared to come to her aid. Tally was dragged from her horse and thrown on the ground. Her helmet came off and they realised this was a woman and no elf and they began to laugh.
"Are they so desperate they send their women to war too?" said one harsh voice,
"No this is no mere woman, this is the so-called Queen we have been told so much about, the one in love with an elf. Just think of the rewards we will be given if we can take her back alive." Tally had been cowering on the ground to this point, but she was not going to let herself be taken anywhere by these foul things like her dreams told her. They would not touch her again. Tally quickly unsheathed the dagger that was hidden in her boot and stabbed two Uruk-Hai in the feet. They cried out in pain and moved apart. Tally took advantage and pushed past them, leaping onto the nearby Mahril and galloping back to where more people were stationed. The Uruk-Hai followed her, but they were no match for six elf warriors, veterans of many battles of this type. Tally's sword had been lost for the moment so she had to be content with stringing many arrows and letting them fly, watching as the victims twisting in pain falling to the ground. Tally delighted in their pain, a morbid joy.
She gradually moved her position until she could get back to her sword which she had spotted lying on the ground some distance away. Tally jumped off Mahril to reclaim it and return to the main fight. She noticed that there was not many people left to fight, the elven fronts were all now quite close. There were still arrows flying off the walls into the midst of things and Tally thought of Legolas hoping and praying he was still alive. Mahril neighed as Tally cantered in to attack a group of goblins. She took their heads off and stabbed the last one as well just to make sure. No one was going to take her home and the people she loved away from her again. The remaining orcs and a few Uruk-Hai fled as best they could, many got cut down on the way. In the distance Tally noticed a black could, it looked like a buzzing hive approach them. She motioned to Gandalf who was nearby to look. He turned and rode out to meet it. Tally followed him.
"Natalia, turn back. This is magic you cannot deal with. The Enemy is upon us. He comes. Ride to Elrond and tell him. Be quick. Fly Mahril fly!" The horse took off, even if its rider was unwilling to go. Tally rode around through many trees, not caring how many scratches she got. She found Elrond fighting hand to hand near to the Sanctuary walls, the elves here were having more trouble than the riders at the back. Tally rode around, sword swinging, listening to the sound of metal on metal as the forces battled. Elrond noticed Tally and he jumped onto Mahril in front of her. Tally galloped off back to where she had last seen Gandalf who was sitting tall on his horse a grave look on his face. Elrond had called to his horse, who appeared on their left and Elrond changed to ride Lettas. Tally stayed with him, she wanted to know what was happening, who had been haunting her.
She rode up to Gandalf's left, Elrond on his right and together they looked at the oncoming force. There was no vanguard, and no body guard, just what seemed to be a cloud of energy. Tally noticed Gandalf mutter a spell and a protective field appeared around the three of them also. The Enemy stopped in front of them, and the cloud seemed to shrink gradually, taking on a form, the form of a person,
"Alatar, you cannot win, you shall be destroyed." Gandalf cried. Alatar was one of the Istari, the wizard order Gandalf belonged to.
"You know why I have come Gandalf. I have come for her. She is the key. She will bring ultimate victory for the darkness."
"She may also bind the darkness, Alatar. She is stronger than you ever imagined, I'm sure you have realised that by now."
"You are right, I should have given her more credit. Her love is strong and she is loyal and accomplished. You have done well with her. I congratulate you, but watch now as I defeat you and bring darkness to this world forever, and he sent out a force from his staff which Gandalf deflected sending it back. Elrond moved back and shouted to Tally to do so. This was a wizards' fight, they could do nothing, and would only hinder Gandalf or get themselves killed. Gandalf appeared to have the upper hand, but Alatar released a spell which send Gandalf flying back off his horse and through the air some distance. Tally gasped,
"Elrond, isn't there anything we can do? Can't we kill him with our weapons? Isn't that how Saruman died?"
"Natalia, you are right, but Alatar could stop any weapon of yours with one move of his arm providing he had the necessary time to see it. You cannot jus go up there with your sword."
"Well let's shoot him in the back, cowardly I know, but wouldn't it work?"
"If it doesn't it will draw attention to where we are hiding and you will not be protected. Tally, we have not told you everything written down in lore about you. If Alatar gets his hands on you then it will unleash vast amounts of evil on this world, we have to protect you. You must go back to the house or at least somewhere further away where there are people around you to watch over you."
"Elrond I do not need watching. I can fight my own battles, as I have demonstrated today. Let me try. I will only need one go. I will not fail." Elrond only sighed and nodded. Tally moved Mahril slightly, positioning him with a clear run to the Wizards. There was no wind, ideal conditions. Tally knew she was close enough. She could do this. She heard Legolas' voice in his head telling her what to do. Tally saw the wizard was wearing no armour, she wouldn't even have to hit the weak chink in any mail. She reached to her back for her bow and an arrow and strung the bow. Making sure she knew exactly where to aim. Tally let the arrow fly, she quickly strung another and let it go in case the first one failed. The second might still have a chance. It seemed hours before the arrows hit their target. Gandalf had seen her behind Alatar and made sure he kept the other Wizard in position long enough for the arrows to hit. Tally saw the first hit the centre of his back, just behind his heart. Alatar stumbled slightly. The second hit the back of his neck and he writhed in pain, falling to the floor. Gandalf delivered the final spell and the body caught fire, there was a screaming and then nothing but calm. The forces they had been fighting had all but been defeated and the rest fled as the elves and men turned to see what had happened. The saw alone on the battle fields a good distance away Gandalf helping their Queen down from her horse, and Elrond riding up to them. Elrond got off his horse and both of them bowed down before Tally.
"It is over," said Gandalf standing up, "You have indeed fulfilled the prophecies about you and bound the darkness forever with one simple stroke."
"Come let us return to the Sanctuary. There is much to see to. There are injuries to be treated and dead to be mourned. We cannot be sure this is the end." Said Elrond, pessimistic to the last.
"Legolas," Tally muttered and left the two standing there as she rode to find her love. She reached the walls of the Sanctuary where he had been stationed. She saw Talin, "Talin, where is Legolas? Where is he?" Talin's face fell,
"My lady, he was injured by an arrow. He is still alive. I am not sure how serious it is. They took him to the Healers." Tally rode off like a shot. She left Mahril in the care of the stable hands, thanking the horse quickly for his help then dashing off to find Legolas.
